On my way to JFK after leaving the Mockingbird Conference I ended up on the wrong train. Not knowing that there are two trains that share a track, instead of ending up at the airport I ended up in Queens.

Standing on the platform feeling a little lost and very alone, I noticed something relevant. I noticed these men in their twenties, and some definitely in their thirties, who were what the world would definitely identify as “hoodlums” or “gangsters”. And I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness for these men, a sadness which stemmed from…

And with that, pre-registration is officially closed! Walk-ins are still more than welcome, just bring your payment with you. Of course, if you find yourself in NYC during the next three days, please stop by and say hello. We’d love to connect in person. And if you don’t, say a prayer for us! Our biggest event yet, by a considerable stretch. Many thanks to all who have helped put this together, especially the fine folks at Calvary St. George’s. Our regular scheduled blogging picks up again next week (Tuesday). In the meantime, thankfully, the world keeps turning…

Each year it seems like such an undertaking: spending money on travel for myself that could have been used for a family vacation; enduring crowded flights and dreary layovers; trudging to and fro on subway lines and unfamiliar avenues, a stranger in a strange land – all to spend a few fleeting days at a religious conference. Is it worth it, you may ask? Well, I wrote what follows after last year’s conference, and it sums up the reason why I intend to make this annual pilgrimage to New York City as long as there is a Mockingbird…

How do we go from “I don’t even believe in Jebus” to “Save me Jebus!”? We need to be impacted. Whether you’re looking for new insight about faith and the Gospel for yourself, or looking for new ways to share it with others, come to the “Bride of Mockingbird at the Movies” breakout session at the upcoming Mockingbird Conference (March 31 to April 2 in NYC). In our time, and really, since the Lumiere brothers invented the moving picture in 1895, movies and television have had a special access to us. Drama can bring us to tears,…

On your left! A remarkably relevant (and convicting) article from The Wall Street Journal entitled “Get Out of My Way, You Jerk!” looking at how the ‘should’ instinct informs the phenomenon known as ‘sidewalk rage’. Of course, the control-freak diagnosis applies to road rage as well, as well as a host of other issues, i.e. this is simply one of its more aggressive contemporary expressions. Wild. We’ve said it many times before: just because non-religious forms of law tend to be more subjective (in content – not ubiquity), that doesn’t make them any less harsh or self-righteousness-inspiring than religious ones….

1. The timing just could not be any better. NYC Mockingbird Conference Speaker Mark Galli has been blowing up this past week, most notably on The Internet Monk. Start with The Evangelical Myth of “Transformation” and go from there – the discussion provides a helpful overview of where Mr Galli is coming from, not to mention a few clues as to why we asked him to speak. Speaking of NYC, we can now announce that childcare will indeed be available, for kids under the age of 8. Email us at info@mbird.com if you plan on taking us up on the…

P.S. We’ve heard that people are getting great deals on hotel rooms in the vicinity via booking.com. Also, word has it that AirTran is having particularly good sale this week, and Delta is matching the price points. Just sayin.

P.P.S. For a great and provocative discussion of keynote speaker Mark Galli’s recent work, check out InternetMonk!

Control and Freedom. Two words that dominate the emotional, spiritual and cultural landscape. Also two words that many of us spend our lives chasing after, mistaking one for the other, or believing they go hand-in-hand. Yet how friendly are these terms? What is the actual relation between freedom and personal control? Please join us this Spring in NYC as we explore how God’s grace calms our fears, upsets our controls, and inspires freedom in the way we live, work and love.

Our keynote speaker this year will be Mark Galli, Senior Managing Editor of Christianity Today. Other speakers include Jady Koch…

1. A wonderful and highly relevant article in this week’s New Yorker by James Surowiecki reviewing a new book on procrastination, The Thief of Time. A perfect storm of Law-related paralysis (also known as “perfectionism” – think Chinese Democracy), Romans 7-style inner divisions and general human silliness:

Philosophers are interested in procrastination for another reason. It’s a powerful example of what the Greeks called akrasia—doing something against one’s own better judgment. Piers Steel defines procrastination as willingly deferring something even though you expect the delay to make you worse off. In other words, if you’re simply saying “Eat, drink, and be…

It’s been about two months since a clergy friend of mine gave me his copy of Mumford & Sons debut album Sigh No More, and it’s been pretty much the only thing I’ve listened to since then. And whether you picked them up from DZ’s January playlist or picked them up on the radio, odds are you’re loving these guys too (they’re kinda breakin’ out here in the states, but you probably knew that already)! And Mockingbird readers, I am happy to report to you that in this album we find the ever elusive gospel in a world full of…

We are super excited to announce that this year’s keynote speaker will be Mark Galli, Senior Managing Editor of Christianity Today. All other details still being finalized. To receive the special pre-registration materials, please…:

This November 19th and 20th, please join us at Christ Church in Pensacola, Florida, together with our special guest, The Rev. Dr. Paul F. M. Zahl, as we take an in-depth look at how God’s Grace can find us and transform us even in the midst of difficult and trying times.

This mini-conference takes the same approach as this blog (hopefully!): accessible to both believer and nonbeliever alike, culturally-engaged, theologically passionate, and, despite the heavy subject matter, fun! We also anticipate that it will be a time of extraordinary warmth, humor and fellowship – a great opportunity to reconnect with old…

About

WHAT: Mockingbird seeks to connect the Christian faith with the realities of everyday life in fresh and down-to-earth ways.

WHY: Are we called Mockingbird? The name was inspired by the mockingbird’s peculiar gift for mimicking the cries of other birds. In a similar way, we seek to repeat the message we have heard – God’s word of grace and forgiveness.

HOW: Via every medium available! At present this includes (but is not limited to) a daily weblog, weekly podcasts, a quarterly print magazine, semi-annual conferences, and an ongoing publications initiative.

WHO: At present, we employ four full-time staff, David Zahl, Ethan Richardson, Margaret Pope and CJ Green, and four part-time, Sarah Condon, Bryan Jarrell, Luke Roland and Marcy Hooker. They are helped and supported by a large number of contributing volunteers and writers. Our board of directors is chaired by The Rev. Aaron Zimmerman.

WHERE: Our offices are located at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, VA.

WHEN: Mockingbird was incorporated in June 2007 and is currently in its 11th year of operation.

Online Giving

The work of Mockingbird is made possible by the gifts of private donors and churches. Our fundraising burden for 2018 is roughly $360,000, and with virtually no overhead, your gifts translate directly into mission and ministry. Can you help? Please feel free to email us at info@mbird.com if you have any questions or would like more information.

As a convenience, we are set up to accept online donations via Paypal. This method will allow you to give with a credit card, in any amount you wish. Simply click on the button below and follow the instructions.